Drum handling mechanism for lift trucks



Oct. 18, 1955 w. w. CUSHMAN DRUM HANDLING MECHANISM FOR LIFT TRUCKS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 30, 1951 iii/$511 22 %/6M.

ATTORNEY Oct. 18, 1955 w, w, cusp- 2,720,992

DRUM HANDLING MECHANISM FOR LIFT TRUCKS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 30, 1951 l l INVENTOR ii W on ATTORNEY United States Patent DRUM HANDLING MECHANISM FOR LIFT TRUCKS Walton W. Cushman, Webb City, Mo., assignor to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army Application January 39, 1951, Serial No. 208,646 11 Claims. (Cl. 214-653) (Granted under Title 35, U. 5. Code (1952), see. 266) The invention described herein, if patented, may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes, without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates particularly to drum-handling equipment but is also useful in connection with the handling of any articles which may be engaged by grapples.

A primary object of the invention resides in combining with a fork-lift truck or other self-loading vehicle a mechanism which may be operated through movements of the vehicle itself to firmly and securely grip an oil drum or other article so that it may be lifted, transported to a designated point and then deposited and released by suitable fore and aft movements of the vehicle.

Another object of the invention consists of a relatively simple and inexpensive attachment for a fork-lift truck which may be readily connected to the vertically movable carriage of the truck and operated through movements of the truck or carriage, or both, to automatically grasp and automatically release oil drums and similar articles.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which,

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a commercial lifttruck with one form of the drum-handling mechanism attached thereto and also shown in side elevation;

Figure 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of the drum-handling mechanism shown in Figure 1, showing in dotted lines the positions of the grapple arms and related parts when engaging a drum;

Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the various parts of the mechanism; and

Figure 4 is a side elevational View of a modified form of drum-handling mechanism, showing in dotted outline the position of grapples when not in operative relation with a drum.

More specifically, the numeral 1 indicates any conventional type of commercial truck such as a fork-lift truck, provided with a mast 2 which is preferably swingable in a fore and aft direction on a horizontal pivot (not shown). The masts of commercial trucks, particularly those provided with forks for engaging under pallets and the like, are provided with vertically movable carriages, and the drum-handling mechanism about to be described is fixedly secured to the vertically movable carriage after the forks or other load-engaging devices have been removed It therefrom.

A portion of a carriage is indicated by the numeral 3, and the beam of the drum-handling mechanism which is indicated by the numeral 4 is welded or otherwise secured to a plate 5 having an overhanging rib 6 which engages over the upper edge of the carriage 3. This plate is provided with vertically extending series of apertures 7 adjacent each end thereof adapted to receive L-shaped bolts 9 which engage about the lower edge of the carriage 3 and are secured in fixed relation thereto by wing nuts or the like 10.

The beam 4, in the present illustration is T-shaped in cross section, and the vertical web 11 thereof is provided with a hanger 12 through which is slidably mounted a forwardly extending projection or rod 13 which is fixed to the rear grapple arm 14 by means of rivets or the like. This grapple arm is provided with a hooked lower end 15 which is adapted to engage under the head or chine of an oil drum or the like. Pivotally connected to the forward end of the portion 11, as indicated at 16, is the forward grapple arm 17 which is provided with a hooked portion 18 at its lower end. This grapple arm is provided with a rearwardly extending arm 19 by which it is pivotally connected to the forward end of the extension 13, as indicated by the numeral 20. By reason of this connection the two grapple arms are suitably articulated so as to cause the forward arm to swing downwardly into engagement with the forward end of the drum after the rear grapple arm 14 has been brought into engagement with the rear end of the drum.

In order to maintain the grapple arms normally in inoperative position and for the purpose of moving them to inoperative position after a drum has been engaged and carried to its destination, a compression spring 21 is employed. This spring encircles the rear portion of the extension 13 of grapple arm 14 and has one end in engagement with the hanger 12 which is fixed to the beam 4. Fixed to the extension 13 in spaced relation to the hanger 12 is a plate 22 which serves as a seat for the forward end of the spring 21, and thus normally maintains the grapple arms in the positions indicated in full lines in Figure 2.

For the purpose of temporarily locking the grapple arms in their engaging relationship to the drum, as will be later described, the lower edge of the extension 13 is provided with a shoulder 23 which is adapted to interlock with the rear edge of the hanger 12 when the grapple arms are in their operative position.

In the operation of the form of the invention shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 the vehicle, after being brought into alignment with an oil drum to be engaged, is moved forwardly so as to bring the hook portion 15 of the rear grapple arm into engagement with the rear end of the drum. Further forward movement of the vehicle causes the beam 4 to be moved forwardly against the pressure of spring 21 while the grapple arm 14 remains stationary due to its engagement with the rear end of the drum. This forward movement of the beam 14 with relation to the temporary stationary grapple arm 14 and its extension 13, causes the forward grapple ram 17 to be swung about its pivot into the dotted line position shown in Figure 2. It is thus apparent that the drum is securely engaged at its opposite ends by the two articulated grapple arms 14 and 17. Furthermore, it is to be noted that as the beam moves forwardly with relation to the rear grapple arm the hanger 12, which compresses the spring 21, passes beyond the shoulder 23 on the extension 13 thereby locking the elements in their operative position. After the drum has been deposited at its destination the grapple arms are readily moved to released position by a slight backward movement of the vehicle. This rearward movement of the vehicle with respect to the deposited drum will move the hanger 12 rearwardly, thus allowing the spring 21 to expand, and in so doing, the two grapple arms 14 and 17 are moved to inoperative position, as indicated in full lines in Figure 2, and are ready for a repetition of the action just described.

In the modified form of the invention shown in Figure 4 the forwardly extending beam 4 is secured to the carriage 3 in the manner described in connection with the form of the invention shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, and the description thereof is therefore unnecessary in this latter form of the invention.

A lever 30 is pivotally connected at about its midportion to the beam 4, as indicated by the numeral 30', and the rear end of this lever is provided with a downwardly extending grapple arm 31 provided with a forwardly extending hook portion 32 and carries at its forward end a cam roller 33. Pivotally connected to the forward end of the beam 4, as indicated by numeral 34, is a second grapple arm 35 provided with a rearwardly extending hook portion 36. This forward grapple arm is enlarged at its upper end and provided with a cam slot 37 in which is mounted the cam roller 33, heretofore mentioned, and which serves to swing the grapple arm 35 backwardly and forwardly about its pivot 34 as the lever 30 is swung about itspivot in a manner which will now be described. In this form of the invention also, a spring is provided for normally maintaining the grapple arms'in inoperative position, but in this instance the spring, which is indicated by the numeral 38 is a tension spring and has one end secured to the rear end of the beam 4, as indicated by numeral 39, and its other end secured to the grapple arm'31 which forms a downward extension of the rear end of the lever 30.

In the operation of this form of the invention the vehicle, after being brought into alignment with a drum to be operated on, is moved forwardly to bring the hook portion 32 of the grapple arm 31 into engagement with the rear rib or chine of the drum. After this contact is made further forward movement of the vehicle is discontinued, but a slight upward movement is imparted to the carriage 3 and this upward movement of the carriage and the beam 4, while the grapple 31 remains stationary, causes the cam roller 33 to swing the forward grapple arm 35 about its pivot 34 from the dotted line position to the full line position of Figure 5, thereby causing it to engage under the bead or chine of the forward end of the drum. Thus the drum is securely grasped by the two grapple arms and is ready to be transported to its destination. When the drum is deposited on the ground or floor, as may be desired, continued downward movement of the carriage 3 and beam 4 will permit the spring 38 to swing the lever 30 about its pivot 30', and this movement will cause the cam roller 33 to return the forward grapple arm 35 to the dotted line position shown in Figure 4. Thereafter the vehicle may be backed away and the grapple mechanism is in readiness for another operation. 'It is to be understood, of course, that in this form of the invention, as well as in the form heretofore described, double beams and grapplers may be mounted on a carriage so that two drums may be engaged ateach operation, if desired.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that I have described two different forms of grapple mechanisms either of which may be caused to automatically and securely engage the opposite ends of oil drums and the like without any manual operations, it being necessary only to manipulate the vehicle in the first form of the invention and the carriage in the second form of the invention so as to bring the grapple arms into operative relation with the article to be operated upon. V

In accordance with the patent statutes I have described what I now consider to be the preferred forms of the invention, but inasmuch as various changes may be made in structural details without departing from the spirit of the invention, it is intended that all such changes be included within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Mechanism for handling oil drums and the like comprising a wheeled vehicle, a vertically movable carriage mounted thereon, a horizontally extending beam fixed to said carriage and extending forwardly of the vehicie, a pair of grapple arms connected to the opposite ends of said beam for fore and aft movement, and means interconnecting said arms, whereby horizontal movement of the carriage to force one of said arms against a drum will cause the other arm to also be brought into engagement with the drum.

2. Mechanism for handling oil drums and the like comprising a wheeled vehicle, a vertically movable carriage mounted thereon, a horizontally extending beam fixed to said carriage and extending forwardly of the vehicle, a pair of grapple arms connected to the opposite ends of said beam for fore and aft movement, and means interconnecting said arms, whereby horizontal movement of the carriage to force one of said arms against a drum will cause the other arm to also be brought into engagement with the drum, and means for returning the grapple arms to inoperative positions. 7

3. Mechanism for handling oil drums and the like comprising a wheeled vehicle, a vertically movable carriage mounted thereon, a horizontally extending beam fixed to said carriage and extending forwardly of the vehicle, a grapple arm slidably mounted on the rear end of the beam, a forwardly-extending projection on said arm, a second grapple arm pivoted to the forward end of said beam, and

a pivotal connection between said projection and said pivoted arm.

4. Mechanism for handling .oil drums and the comprising a wheeled vehicle, a vertically movable carriage mounted thereon, a horizontally extending beam fixed to said carriage andextending forwardly of the vehicle, a

grapple arm slidably mounted on the rear end of the beam, a forwardly-extending projection on said arm, a second grapple arm pivoted to the forward end of said beam, an. operative connection between said projection and said pivoted arm, and means for normally maintaining said arms in inoperative position.

5. Mechanism for handling oil drums and the like comprising a wheeled vehicle, a vertically movable carriage mounted thereon, a horizontally extending beam fixed to said carriage and extending forwardly of the vehicle. a grapple arm slidably mounted on the rear end of the beam,

.a forwardly-extending projection on said arm, a second grapple arm pivoted to the forward end of said beams, and a pivotal connection between said projection and said pivoted arm, said last-named pivot being positioned intermediate the ends of the pivoted arm. p

6. Mechanism for handling oil drums and the like comprising a wheeled vehicle, a vertically movable carriage mounted thereon, a horizontally extending beam fixed to said carriage and extending forwardly of the vehicle, a grapple arm, a forwardly-extending projection on said arm, a hanger disposed adjacent the rear end of the beam for slidably supporting said arm and projection, a second grapple arm pivoted to the forward end of said beam, and a pivotal connection between the forward end of said projection and said pivoted arm.

, 7. Mechanism for handling oil drums and the like comprising a wheeled vehicle, a vertically movable carriage mounted thereon, a horizontally extending beam fixed to said carriage and extending forwardly of the vehicle, a grapple arm, a forwardly-extending projection on said arm provided with a shoulder on its lower edge, a hanger disposed adjacent the rear end of the beam, said projection being slidably mounted in the hangerand capable of being positioned with said shoulder engaged behind the hanger, a second grapple arm pivoted tothe forward end of said beam, a pivotal connection between the forward end of said projection and said pivoted arm, and means for normally maintaining said arms in inoperative position and said shoulder disengaged from said hanger.

8. Mechanism for handling oil drums and the ,like comprising a wheeled vehicle, a vertically movable carriage mounted thereon, a horizontally extending beam fixed to said carriage and extending forwardly of the vehicle, a lever pivoted to said beam intermediate the ends of the former, a grapple arm fixed to the rear end of the lever, a second grapple arm pivoted to the forward end of the beam, a cam roller on the forward end of the lever, said pivoted grapple arm provided with a cam slot receiving said cam roller, whereby movement of the lever about its pivot will impart movement to the pivoted grapple arm.

9. Mechanism for handling oil drums and the like comprising a wheeled vehicle, a vertically movable carriage mounted thereon, a horizontally extending beam fixed to said carriage and extending forwardly of the vehicle, a lever pivoted to said beam intermediate the ends of the former, a grapple arm fixed to the rear end of .the lever, a second grapple arm pivoted to the forward end of the beam, and a cam roller and slot connection between the forward end of the lever and said second arm, and means for normally maintaining the rear end of the lever in elevated position and the pivoted grapple arm in inoperative position, whereby when the rear end of the lever is moved downwardly relative to the beam the pivoted grapple arm will be swung into operative position.

10. Mechanism for handling oil drums and the like comprising a wheeled vehicle, a vertically movable carriage mounted thereon, a horizontally extending beam fixed to said carriage and extending forwardly of the vehicle, a hanger on the rear end of said beam, a lever pivoted to the beam intermediate the ends of the former and adapted to be supported by the hanger when the rear end of the lever is depressed, a grapple arm fixed to the rear end of the lever, a second grapple arm pivoted to the forward end of the beam, an interconnection between the forward end of the lever and said second arm, and means for normally maintaining the rear end of the lever in elevated position and the pivoted grapple arm in inoperative position, whereby when the rear end of the lever is moved downwardly relative to the beam the pivoted grapple arm will be swung into operative position.

11. A drum-carrying means for a lift truck having a vertically movable carriage, comprising a first grapple arm connected with the carriage for fore and aft substantially horizontal movement and engageable with one end of a drum to be transported, and a second grapple arm movably connected with the carriage and first grapple arm and shiftable into engagement with the other end of the drum solely by forward movement of the lift truck and carriage while said first grapple arm is in engagement with said one end of the drum.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,518,560 Carroll Dec. 9, 1924 2,340,812 Koob Feb. 1, 1944 2,399,360 Lacey Apr. 30, 1946 2,457,646 Dalferes Dec; 28, 1948 2,512,409 Adde June 20, 1950 2,517,085 Cirillo Aug. 1, 1950 2,519,067 Rich Aug. 15, 1950 2,576,048 Schum Nov. 20, 1951 2,582,663 Weiss Jan. 15, 1952 2,586,843 McDonald Feb. 26, 1952 2,613,823 Johns Oct. 14, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 39,281 Norway July 7, 1924 410,287 Germany Mar. 2, 1925 782,403 France Mar. 18, 1935 

